In the wake of Android's announcement regarding the latest version
of their operating system – Android KitKat – here are 10 of the most
interesting facts about this popular mobile OS.
- It is often assumed that Google created Android themselves, but in reality it was really just a smart investment from the internet giants. They bought the Android start up in 2005 from the original creators Andy Rubin, Rich Miner and Chris White. The purchase price was approximately $50 million and up until early this year one of the original developers, Andy Rubin, stayed involved with the project as head of Google's Android Division, a job which is now held by the head of the Google Chrome division Sundar Pichai.
- Google chose the Android platform largely because it was developed entirely on Linux rather than Windows which is of course the brainchild of rivals – Microsoft company. Although Apple is often seen as Android's main rival, it seems Google had the foresight to realize that Microsoft would eventually move into the mobile market. Windows Phone is becoming just a rival to Android as Apple has been. However it’s a question whether it will gain such a large amount of users as those two.
- Based on recent polls, as many as 45% of all smartphone users have chosen an Android device to become their first smartphone. Fun fact: of those who chose an iPhone, 8% will later switch to an Android device instead.
- Android devices were not always as successful as they are now. The very first Android to be commercially marketed was the first generation HTC Dream which ran on the Cupcake 1.5 version of Android. It was nowhere near as successful as the most common Samsung devices we are familiar with today.
- The latest version of Android has been announced recently and is to be called Android KitKat. It’s name to keep with the sweet treats theme established first with Petit Fours and then with Cupcake which was the first commercial version, but the third version of Android. Since then the subsequent versions have been named alphabetically using sweet treats as inspiration. The previous versions in order are Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. The name KitKat is being used after Google and Nestle struck a unique licensing deal to co-brand the chocolate bar and the Android version.
- Android is the first mobile platform to look beyond the standard mobile phones and tablet devices that have become so common these days, with new and innovative devices like the Samsung Galaxy Smart Camera and the Google Glass visor starting to emerge.
- Android is currently most popular among users who are under the age of 35 years old.
- It appears that men
prefer the Android while women are more likely to choose an iPhone, according
to recent surveys. That’s probably connected with a well-established fact
that Android allows tons of customization opportunities while iOS is a
very closed system.
- Researches show that three most common activities that Android users carry out on their Android devices are sending emails, mobile gaming and using GPS navigation.
- Of all of the games
that are currently available on Android, the most popular title stays
after Rovio’s Angry Birds. By the way, their games are free for Android
while on iOS one has to pay to get the full versions.
